“Solomon…” The smile didn’t abate as he echoed the name. It grew in fact, white and gleaming as he reached over to shake the barman’s hand. “I’m Garrett. Garrett Hawke. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Charm, it seemed, this man had in spades, but guile, it seemed was absent at present. It sounded and looked sincere at least.
“Here your whole life, though?” One dark brow raised quizzically, “I don’t know if I could imagine what that would be like…” And honestly, he couldn’t. Not really. Looking about the place, it just seemed like… too much. Even disregarding the ‘activities’ and business besides the bar, the Blooming Rose was so… opulent. Lavishly decorated to the point of gaudiness. And then add in that there were so many people…
“Crowded, for one. Everyone here or there.” One side of his broad shoulders lifted in a shrug as he brought his glass up to his lips for a drink. “I’m a farmboy, myself. More used to not having neighbors closer than a half-mile. Kirkwall has been an… interesting introduction to city living.” To say the least.
“Did you never want to… I don’t know, get your own flat, or go exploring the Marches or anything?” He paused, and seemed to realize something, “I apologize if that’s too personal.”
hawke . the name rings a bell . he’d never seen his face , but he’d heard plenty about the man from the blooming rose’s patrons , & even its employees . he was the talk of kirkwall , & for many reasons both good & bad , it seemed . solomon finds it a tad easier to think of him as garrett , instead . more familiar , like he was a person instead of a figurehead .
‘ i wasn’t exactly brought to life on purpose , i’m afraid . my mother was a working lady here , & i’m simply earning my keep now that she’s gone . ’ he shrugs half - heartedly , as if he might benefit from a drink himself . too risky , though . madame lusine wasn’t terribly forgiving on that front . ‘ it isn’t as bad as you might assume . i have my own quarters , & i do normal , mundane jobs to keep the place clean & the customers happy . not everyone comes here for sex , shockingly . ’
he casts a wayward glance to the men at the other end of the bar , laughing & guzzling down drink after drink . ‘ don’t apologize --- i’ve had far more personal questions asked , even just over the course of today . ’ he chuckles as he offers a dismissive wave & leans back on his heels .
‘ i haven’t really thought about it , if i’m being honest . just haven’t had any real reason to leave . although , with the way kirkwall’s going , i don’t know how much longer that’ll be true for . ’